Sweethearts Dance is a family friendly Valentine’s Day celebration that will be held at the Pearl on Saturday February 18. Photo courtesy of Pearl, used with permission.
On Saturday February 18 there will be a family Valentine’s Day celebration at the Pearl Stable especially suited for the little ones. This family friendly celebration will take place from 5p.m. to 8p.m. and will feature music and dancing, love-themed arts and crafts, a photo booth, sweet and salty treats and a champagne bar for the adults. Tickets are available online and are priced at $25 for one adult and two children, $10 for each additional adult and $5 for each additional child. Children under two years old are free. To make the evening extra fun, fancy whimsical attire is recommended. (Pearl,2017)
Pearl Stable
307 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-9539
‘The King and I’ is one of the productions coming to the Majestic Theatre as part of the 2017-2018 Broadway in San Antonio season. Photo by Gayle McCracken, used with permission.
North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio recently announced the line up for next season and theater fans are in for another unforgettable season of fabulous shows. The 2017-2018 season at the Majestic Theatre will include eight productions including four market debuts, Tony Award winning shows, family classics and returning favorites. It was also announced that the national tour of ‘Hamilton’ will play the Majestic Theatre as part of the 2018-2019 season. Season subscribers can choose a six show package starting at $211 or seven show package including ‘The Book of Mormon’ starting at $250. The benefits of being a season subscriber include avoiding possible ticket price increases closer to the show, priority ticket opportunities, lost ticket replacement and seat exchange privileges. More information is available online or by calling Broadway in San Antonio at 800-215-SHOW (7469) from 9a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday. (North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio, 2017)
In 2017 the season begins with ‘The Bodyguard’ from September 19 through September 24, ‘The King and I’ from October 17 through October 22 and Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ from December 12 through December 17. ‘The Bodyguard’ is based on the hit film and tells the story of former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, who is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. It includes the hit songs “Saving All My Love,” “I Have Nothing” and the iconic “I Will Always Love You.” ‘The King and I’ is set in 1860s Bangkok and is the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher who is hired to tutor his many wives and children. Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ is based on the 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. It is the story of a song and dance team who put on a show at a Vermont Inn and end up falling for a stunning sister act. Hit songs include “Sisters,” “Happy Holiday” and “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing.”
In 2018 the season continues with season option Rodgers + Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ from January 12 through January 14, ‘The Color Purple’ from February 6 through February 11, ‘On Your Feet’ from March 13 through March 18, ‘The Book of Mormon’ from May 1 through May 6 and ‘An American In Paris’ from June 12 through June 17. Rodgers + Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ is the Tony Award winning musical that has delighted audiences with its contemporary take on the classic fairy tale. It includes the beloved songs “In My Own Little Corner” and “Ten Minutes.” ‘The Color Purple’ won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival and is about a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South. ‘On Your Feet’ tells the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan’s humble beginnings in Cuba and how they came to America and became a crossover success in the pop music world. ‘The Book of Mormon’ is the outrageous musical comedy that follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries who are sent halfway around the world to share the good news. The season ends with ‘An American In Paris,’ the new hit musical about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city all longing for a new beginning after the war.
Majestic Theatre
224 E Houston St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-5700
‘The Secret Garden’ opens tonight at The Playhouse San Antonio. Photo by Daniel D Baumer, used with permission.
Tonight is opening night for The Playhouse San Antonio’s midseason musical ‘The Secret Garden.’ This family friendly musical will run through Sunday March 12 and is directed by Laura Michelle Hoadley. It stars Ashley Doyle as Mary Lennox and Nicholas Szoeke as Archibald Craven. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 733-7258. Prices are $23 for military with valid ID, $23 for seniors aged 60 and up, $15 for students with valid ID and $12 for children aged 12 and under. Group rates are available for groups of ten or more. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2017)
‘The Secret Garden’ is a musical based on the 1911 book of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett with script and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon. The story is set in the early 20th century and tells the story of Mary Lennox, a young English girl born and raised in the British Raj. When she is ten years old she becomes an orphan when a cholera outbreak kills her family. She is sent to live in England with relatives she has never met which include her tormented uncle Archibald Craven. While living at Misselthwaite Manor she and a young gardener tend a neglected garden back to life and she learns that a little kindness can make a big difference in her life and that of her family.
The Playhouse San Antonio
800 West Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-7258
‘The Waiting Room’ is the debut novel by Leah Kaminsky
Leah Kaminsky is a physician, an award winning author of poetry, short stories and literary non-fiction and the poetry and fiction editor at the Medical Journal of Australia. She edited ‘Writer M.D.,’ an anthology of contemporary doctor-writers and is the author of the award-winning poetry collection ‘Stitching Things Together.’ ‘The Waiting Room: A Novel’ is her debut novel about an Australian doctor named Dina who was born to Holocaust survivors and struggles to cope with daily life in Haifa.
‘The Waiting Room’ chronicles a day in the life of Dina, the daughter of Holocaust survivors whose daily life in Israel includes difficult patients, a six year old son and another one on the way, a strained marriage, the ghost of her dead mother and the ever present threat of a terrorist attack. It is the personal journey of a woman whose past is interwoven with her present as she learns to deal with her mother’s traumatic experiences. The story begins with a Prologue that recounts a memory from her past. Chapter 1 has Dina busy at work gathering evidence at a crime scene and Chapter 2 rewinds the action to six hours earlier and the beginning of the longest day in her life. The scenes where she interacts with her dead mother show how important and influential family is in her decision making.
It is not often that readers get a front row seat to witness daily life in Israel where citizens live under the constant threat of a terrorist attack yet they still go on with their day. This is evident as the radio announcement issues an alert for a possible attack as casually as it does the weather report when Dina and her family are getting ready in the morning. When the attack does come it is impossible not to feel the fear and dismay that the citizens experience. Overall it is a heartbreaking and poignant story of a woman who is close to her breaking point but somehow manages to keep it together. The action flows effortlessly through the pages making it hard to put down. ‘The Waiting Room’ by Leah Kaminsky is an easy to read novel and recommended for readers looking to gain insight into the Israeli conflict and the Holocaust experience from the survivors’ point of view.
*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.
‘No Place to Pray’ is the new novel by James Carpenter. Photo: amazon.com
James Carpenter began his career teaching middle and high school English. After fourteen years teaching computer programming, system design and entrepreneurship at The Wharton School he retired to write fiction. His writing has appeared in publications such as “The Chicago Tribune,” “Fiction International,” “Fifth Wednesday Journal,” “North Dakota Quarterly” and “Ambit.” Three of his stories were nominated for the Pushcart Prize and he is a recipient of Descant’s Frank O’Connor Prize. His new novel ‘No Place to Pray’ tells the story of two young men who meet when they spend a night in the same jail cell.
This is a Southern gothic tale about two young men, LeRoy who is bi-racial and Harmon who is white. LeRoy comes from a poor background and never knew his father because his mother was a prostitute. When they both end up in jail overnight they end up becoming the best of friends. They share a lifetime of experiences that includes working together and drinking together. Towards the end of Harmon’s life they both become involved with Edna, a wealthy widow who takes them into her vacation home by the river. Their stories are similar in the sense that they both have a hard life and struggle to survive and rely on alcohol to help them cope which only makes life more difficult for them. The people and experiences that make up their lives are intertwined with race, class and religion.
‘No Place to Pray’ by James Carpenter is a gritty and dark tale of American life peppered with issues dealing with class, race, alcoholism and friendships that endure the test of time. It contains adult language and situations that may not be appropriate for all readers. The story is told through a series of flashbacks and has shifting points of view mixed in with LeRoy’s fantasy and adventure stories. At times this makes it hard to follow the story but it does not take away from the richness and impact of the overall tale. The characters are relatable and well developed and the prose is rich with imagery. It is recommended for fans of Southern gothic stories that deal with deep friendships, survival, as well as race and class struggles.
*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery is opening a San Antonio location on Wednesday March 1, 2017. Photo: Ashley Davis Photography, used with permission.
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery is a Denver based restaurant chain dedicated to serving the best breakfast around. Next month they are bringing their brand of brunch to San Antonio and are opening a location at the Alamo Quarry Market. Set to open on Wednesday March 1 patrons will be able to enjoy signature dishes and boozy beverages. Snooze has partnered up with Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling, Merit Coffee Cold Brew, 44 Farms Beef, Sagebrush Cage Free Eggs, Mill-King Dairy and more. This location will feature a variety of local beers and morning cocktails for an early morning pick-me-up. The menu will include Snooze’s signature Breakfast Pot Pie and Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes. Beverage favorites include their bubbly Mmm Mmm Mimosa and four options of Bloody Marys including the Droppin’ Beetz Bloody. Business hours will be 6:30a.m. to 2:30p.m. (Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, 2017)
Founded in 2006 with a mission to evolve the morning dining experience, Snooze offers guests culinary innovation, an eclectic and energetic atmosphere and friendly service. The menu consists of creative twists on classic breakfast dishes and a wide selection of local, craft beers and morning cocktails. Snooze is a supporter of organizations focused on education and sustainability as well as local causes. In San Antonio, they have partnered with non-profit organizations including the San Antonio Food Bank, Green Spaces Alliance and Kinetic Kids.
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Alamo Quarry Market
255 E Basse Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209
Allan Ross as Prospero, Grace Lamberson as Miranda and Hunter Wulff as Ferninand in The Classic Theatre of San Antonio’s production of ‘The Tempest.’ Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.
The mission of The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is to produce classic plays with contemporary connections and this continues with their next production. William Shakespeare’s comedy ‘The Tempest’ opens at The Classic Theatre stage on Friday February 17 and will run until Sunday March 12, 2017. This is considered one of Shakespeare’s last and greatest work and is part fairy tale and part romance with a touch of magic. The story is set on a remote island where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place as princess of Milan using illusion and skillful manipulation. It features begrudged creatures and drunken clowns, charmed royals and magical spirits who all struggle between the temptation for revenge and the grace of forgiveness and humility. Mark McCarver is the director and co-founder Allan S Ross stars as Prospero and Grace Lamberson as Miranda. (The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 2017)
Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Ticket prices are $25 for general admission, $20 for senior, military, educator or SATCO and $10 for students and are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450. There will be a complimentary champagne reception on opening night Friday February 17, 2017. Following the Sunday March 5 show at 3p.m. there will be a ‘Community Talk Back’ discussion about the play.
The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450
Live from Jazz, TX will be taping starting Wednesday February 22. Photo by Hilmy, used with permission.
Patrons who have enjoyed Jazz, TX will be pleased to know that the venue has announced a new radio show series with San Antonio’s NPR affiliate, Texas Public Radio (TPR). Titled Live from Jazz, TX, the show will tape five shows onsite beginning on Wednesday February 22. It will feature owner Doc Watkins along with special guests with an interview segment, audience Q&A and an abundance of music. The first five tapings will focus on San Antonio’s live music scene and will feature local favorites like Doc Watkins, Pierre, Poree, Jim Cullum and Robert V. Tapings will be on Wednesdays through March 22 at 8:30p.m. Cover is $20 per person and audience participation will be encouraged by way of Q&A and other activities. Live from Jazz, TX will air on TPR’s 89.1 FM in San Antonio every Saturday in April from 7p.m. to 8p.m. (Jazz, TX, 2017)
Taping schedule:
February 22 – Doc Watkins and his Orchestra
March 1 – Doc Watkins with special guest Pierre Poree
March 8 – Doc Watkins with special guest Jim Cullum
March 15 – Doc Watkins with special guest Ruben V.
March 22- Doc Watkins and his Organ Quintet
Jazz, TX is the Pearl’s newest upscale music venue owned and operated by renowned musician Brent “Doc” Watkins. It is located in the cellar of the Bottling House and hosts musical acts include jazz, blues, big band, Texas swing, salsa, conjunto and Americana including Doc Watkins. Business hours are Tuesday through Saturday and aside from music guest can enjoy a wide variety of food, beverages, wine and spirits.
Jazz,TX
313 Pearl Pkwy, Building 6 Suite 6001
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 332-9386
‘Pippin’ opens this Friday February 10 at the Woodlawn Theatre. Photo courtesy of Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission.
This month the Woodlawn Theatre will open its 2017 season and first on the list is the local production of the Tony Award-winning ‘Pippin’. This musical journey of a young prince in search of fulfillment opens Friday February 10 and runs through Sunday March 12. It is sponsored by KONO 101.1 and has a show rating of PG-13 for suggestive dance style and some adult language. Show times are every Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at 210-267-8388. Prices are $18 for students and children, $24 for seniors and military and $29 for adults and all tickets are subject to a $3 service fee. Groups of ten or more receive a 20% discount. (Woodlawn Theatre, 2017)
‘Pippin’ uses a mysterious performance troupe led by a Leading Player to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince who is searching for meaning and significance to his life. To prove his loyalty to his father, he goes to war but when the Leading Player convinces him to fight tyranny, Pippin kills Charles and takes over the throne. After he realizes his mistake he convinces the Leading Player to bring his father back to life. Pippin then falls in love with a widow with a young son and must decide whether to settle down or continue to make magic with the dazzling troupe of performers. The show is directed by Katie Benson with musical direction by Josh Pepper and choreography by Alonzo Corona. Even though the characters of Pippin and his father Charlemagne are real life people from the Middle Ages this particular show makes no reference to true historical facts. Rather, it explores the glories of war, the temptations of love and the intrigues of political power before unveiling that happiness lies not in the extraordinary but in the ordinary moments of everyday life. With Trevor Chauvin as Pippin and Gianna Rodriguez as the Leading Player the show features styled dancing, high-flying acrobatics, wondrous music and soaring songs including the popular “Magic To Do.”
The 30th Annual Asian Festival takes place this Saturday February 4 at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Photo: google
Saturday January 28 was the Chinese New Year and The Institute of Texan Cultures is celebrating the year of the rooster with the 30th Annual Asian Festival on Saturday February 4, 2017 from 10a.m. to 5p.m. This festival not only celebrates the New Year but it also honors the many Asian cultures who call Texas home. It began as a small family gathering to celebrate the Chinese New Year and has since grown into a city wide celebration that includes other Asian communities as they get together to share their unique culture and traditions. Advance tickets are available online and at The Institute of Texan Cultures store for $8 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets will also be available at the gate.
The festival usually starts with a Lion Dance to greet the Chinese New Year and chase away evil spirits. This family friendly event includes music, food and cultural performances to create a fun, multi-cultural celebration. Authentic Asian American food vendors will offer food from Japan, Korea, Laos and others and guests will be able to enjoy traditional Asian dance and musical performances on three different stages. There will be demonstrations of martial arts, henna painting, palm readings and cooking as well as vendors selling crafts including dolls, artwork, clothing and other gifts.
The Institute of Texan Cultures
801 E Cesar E Chavez Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 458-2300
